A recently installed Gruffalo-inspired sculpture at a County Durham park has been vandalised.
Talented artist and sculptor Graeme Hopper, who is from Crook, created two metal models inspired by the popular children’s story, alongside a dragon sculpture for Sedgefield’s Hardwick Park, with the figures put in place at the end of May.
Sadly, the ears of the mouse sculpture were removed last weekend, with the damage reported by a member of the public on Sunday. The incident has also been reported to Durham Constabulary.
It is estimated that it will cost hundreds of pounds to repair and restore the sculpture to its original form at the park, which is owned by Durham County Council.
Oliver Sherratt, the council’s head of environment, said: “It is extremely upsetting to see that the ears have been snapped off our new mouse sculpture. The Gruffalo inspired sculptures were created specifically for the park by artist Graeme Hopper, and have received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public in the last four weeks, since their installation.
“In a short space of time they have already become a very popular addition to the visitor offer at Hardwick Park. This incident has caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to the sculpture, which has now had to be removed and taken away for repair. I know that this will be hugely disappointing to the large number of people who enjoy seeing the sculptures as part of their visit.”
The latest incident comes after The Temple of Minerva at the park was damaged in a suspected arson attack in March. Damage estimated at between £5,000 and £10,000 was caused in the incident. The temple remains fenced off from visitors while it awaits specialist repair work.
It is believed a wheelie bin was propped against the temple and set alight, causing severe fire and smoke damage to the paintwork of the structure, and leaving molten plastic from the bin stuck to its flagstones. On the same night, an interpretative metal sculpture in the park was also pulled from its concrete base. Smashed glass bottles and rubbish were also left strewn around the temple.
The Temple of Minerva was one of four Gothic ruins in the grounds of the park which were restored following a £4.1million Heritage Lottery Fund grant, with work completed in 2010.
Anyone with information regarding the sculpture vandalism should call Durham Constabulary on the non-emergency 101 number quoting incident reference number 150 of June 21.
Any visitors to Hardwick Park who witness anti-social behaviour can contact Durham County Council on 03000 260000 or https://doitonline.durham.gov.uk/
